6 Reasons You're Not Feeling Motivated And What To Do About It

It is very normal to have off-days when you just can’t be bothered to do anything. Sometimes, if we’ve been working hard, we need down time to just relax and recharge. And, that’s okay.

But, when this lasts for more than a weekend filled with nothing but lying in bed, it’s time to wonder what is happening. Maybe the answer is simple: You had a bad breakup, or life just sucks. Or maybe, the reason stems from something much deeper than that; maybe it is much more complicated.

Or maybe, there is no reason at all. Sometimes, we feel "blah" and there is no scientific explanation for it. This doesn’t always mean we have depression. We might be just going through a tough period. But, it is manageable.

Here is a list of reasons why you might be feeling unmotivated and what you can do about it:

1. We're habitually anti-social

When we lock ourselves in our rooms without any real contact with the outside world for extended periods of time, it can feel lonely. Replacing the void with too much social media also doesn’t help.

There is a deeper sense of connection when there is face-to-face communication. Being around friends who make you laugh and with whom you can have fun instantly boosts your mood.

Though uncomfortable for most, engaging in deep and meaningful conversations from time to time can also inspire you to move forward if you’re feeling stuck.

2. Your personal life is off its rails

Life is a mess. Your love life is non-existent, and you just can’t get your sh*t together. Start de-cluttering your life. Begin by cleaning out your room and then get rid of the junk food.

Get into nature. Walk the dog. Wake up with a rejuvenating swim in the ocean, go for a walk with a friend, drink more water. Sweat it out. A little bit of exercise can actually be refreshing.

Read more inspiring blogs; avoid toxic, negative relationships and focus on companies that inspire you, lift you up, and bring out the best in you. When the environment around us is positive and motivating, we begin to feel inspired and motivated, too.

Additionally, when we get rid of external and internal baggage, there's more room for positive things to come into our lives so we can begin to feel better again. We feel more clear and motivated to achieve the things we want.

3. You’re ungrateful

I know this may sound harsh, but are you ungrateful? It’s so easy to complain about our first-world problems and get caught up with the little things in life, especially when we have everything we actually need.

But, because we have everything, we don’t have actual problems about which to complain. We live in comfortable little bubbles, padded with all of life's amenities. Examining students who traveled from overseas to escape poverty and harsh conditions really puts things in perspective.

Having little and being unable to afford to sit around and do nothing can serve as enough motivation to get off the couch and do something because you can only depend on yourself. Sometimes, having little means being more grateful for what we do have, which can be enough motivation to inspire us to give something a try.

4. You’re stuck in an unfulfilling job or course

When we engage in activities that are unfulfilling or make us unhappy, we lose motivation, not just for work or studying, but for life itself.

Things that suck the souls from us are not healthy in the long term. Since work is such a big part of our lives, it is essential — at least for the majority of the time — that we feel inspired, motivated or passionate.

When we feel fulfilled, our performances are better; we do our best work, and we’re a generally better company to be around — and, life is a lot more enjoyable. If you haven’t found what motivates you, it’s not the end of the world.

Sometimes, only trial and error will lead you to something that lights you up. You are very lucky if you have found that fulfillment in your first, second or even third job you find in your 20s. And if you haven't found it, hang in there. Trust the road is leading you to something awesome.

5. You lack purpose

Most of us spend a lot of time in our 20s wondering what we're doing, where we're going and whom we want to be. It can be really frustrating when all we want to do is feel fulfilled and settled with a sense of where we are heading.

We want to have it all and now! But, this mentality makes us miss being in the present moment and enjoying the journey. It is during this time, when we experience the challenges of life, that we overcome the disappointments, rejections and failures that give a sense to live.

When you have experienced what you don’t want, you will get a clearer picture on what you do want. As hard as life might be, there are lessons we must learn in order to gain clarity. So, take your time. If you’re not sure exactly what you want to do, don’t stress. Just keep moving, exploring, doing, living and trying.

6. You’re not giving yourself a fair go

Sometimes, we feel low because we’re constantly comparing ourselves to others or wondering why we're not there yet. Comparing our journeys to others stops us in our tracks.

We lose focus and, sometimes, give up because it makes us not feel good enough. What I can say is that your beginning is not someone else’s middle. Everyone has his or her own path.

Focusing on yourself and doing what makes you feel inspired and fulfilled is not selfish because when we look after ourselves, we’re also helping others by being the best version of ourselves.

Learn to look after your needs and desires, and let go of whatever is not serving you. Take time out for yourself and love the person in the mirror. Relax, go on a weekend getaway, unwind, read an inspiring book, pamper yourself, get out there, stop worrying about making mistakes. There are no regrets in life — just lessons.

If you’re still feeling unmotivated, remember to take it one step at a time. Do one thing each day that makes you feel good. Keep moving, trying things, making mistakes and challenging yourself.